What Are Antioxidants and What Do They Do for the Body?
An antioxidant is a word often used when talking about health and diets. Surely you’ve heard about antioxidants when learning about beauty products, skin regimens, and other glam uses — but do wonder what an antioxidant actually is?
Winter Sweetz is here to inform you on what antioxidants are and how they can affect your body.
What Is an Antioxidant?
Antioxidants can be found naturally in foods or they may be man-made. Essentially, antioxidants help prevent different types of damage to your cells.
Antioxidants prevent oxidation, which is a chemical reaction that develops cell-harming free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that develop when your skin is exposed to harmful radiation or pollutants and can also be made when your body digests food.
What Are the Benefits of Antioxidants?
Since antioxidants destroy the presence of free radicals, they can also lower the chances of developing some diseases. The following are a few health benefits of antioxidants:
- They can assist in preventing cancer. Some research has shown that eliminating free radicals can prevent cell damage that may lead to cancer. More research needs to be done to determine its full potential.
- Consuming antioxidants can help your vision. Antioxidants may assist in reducing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of vision loss for those over 60 years old. Antioxidants may help decrease the risk of AMD by 25%.
Additionally, Vitamins C and E are both antioxidants that when consumed can lower your chances of developing cataracts. Cataracts occur when protein builds up in your eye, making the lens in the front of your eye foggy and more difficult to see through.
- Heart benefits. Some research has shown that antioxidants can reduce the risk of developing heart disease or suffering a stroke.
Texas Rio Red grapefruits are excellent sources of antioxidants.
Texas Rio Red Grapefruits Are a Great Source of Antioxidants
Grapefruits are packed with tons of beneficial vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy and your skin looking bright. Grapefruits provide a high amount of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant.
Amazingly, grapefruits have more than one substance that is considered an antioxidant. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that your body converts to vitamin A. This is the source of the benefits antioxidants have on your vision. Lycopene is the antioxidant in grapefruit that can potentially reduce your chances of getting cancer.